Outdoor cooking station, side shelf, and method thereof

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a side shelf for coupling to an outdoor cooking station configured to control placement of objects adjacent a cooking surface of the outdoor cooking station. The side shelf includes an upward facing flat surface extending to a front periphery, a rear periphery, an outer periphery and an inner periphery. Further, the upward facing flat surface includes an upstanding elongated ridge, the upstanding elongated ridge extending above the upward facing flat surface and extending at least partially along the inner periphery of the upward facing flat surface. With this arrangement, the upstanding elongated ridge extends to define a set-back from the cooking surface for controlled placement of the objects on the upward facing flat surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/648,442, filed Mar. 27, 2018, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to outdoor type cooking stationsand, more specifically, the present invention relates to a side shelfattachable to the outdoor type cooking stations.

BACKGROUND

Barbequing has become a popular and pervasive tradition in much of theworld. A barbeque grill is a device for cooking food by applying heatdirectly below a grill. There are several varieties of grills but mostfall into one of two categories, either gas fueled or charcoal. Gasfueled grills typically use propane or natural gas as a fuel source,with the gas flame either cooking the food directly or heating grillingelements which in turn radiate the heat necessary to cook the food.Grilling has become a popular method of cooking food due to the uniqueflavors and texture imparted to the food during the grilling process.

Managing food, cooking utensils and various spices and the like adjacentthe cooking surface of the grill often becomes problematic for theindividual cooking. To overcome this problem, many of the barbequegrills or outdoor cooking stations include some sort of side shelfattached to the cooking station. Such side shelves are typicallypositioned adjacent the cooking surface of the grills or the like toprovide easy access and appropriate management of the cooking area.However, due to the proximity of the side shelves to the cooking surfaceand the heat rising from the cooking surface, dangerous conditions mayarise that may not be immediately apparent to the individual cooking atthe cooking station.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to various embodiments of a safetyfeature for a cooking station and side shelf. In one embodiment, anoutdoor cooking station for controlling placement of objects adjacent acooking surface of the outdoor cooking station. The outdoor cookingstation includes a main body and a side shelf. The main body extends todefine a front side, a rear side, a first side and a second side eachextending between a lower portion and an upper edge. The upper edgeextends with a rectangular periphery along each of the front side, therear side, the first side and the second side of the main body. Further,the main body includes multiple heating elements supported by the mainbody and disposed below the upper edge of the main body such that themultiple heating elements are configured to provide heat to the cookingsurface. The side shelf is configured to be coupled to one of the firstside and the second side of the main body, the side shelf including anupward facing flat surface extending to an inner periphery. The upwardfacing flat surface extending to an upstanding elongated ridge, theupstanding elongated ridge extending above the upward facing flatsurface and extending at least partially adjacent the inner periphery.With this arrangement, the upstanding elongated ridge extends to definea set-back from the cooking surface for placement of the objects on theupward facing flat surface.

In another embodiment, the side shelf includes an elongated openingdefined in the side shelf, the upstanding elongated ridge extending atleast partially along the elongated opening. In another embodiment, theside shelf includes an elongated opening defined therein, the elongatedopening extending through the side shelf such that, upon the side shelfbeing secured to one of the first side and the second side of the mainbody, the elongated opening defines a gap opening between the main bodyand the upstanding ridge.

In another embodiment, the set-back defined by the upstanding elongatedridge is sized and configured to substantially prevent the objects frombeing positioned within a heat zone, the heat zone associated with thecooking station upon the heating elements being ignited. In stillanother embodiment, the upstanding elongated ridge extends with amajority of its elongated length extending linearly so as to extendsubstantially parallel with the one of the first side and the secondside of the main body.

In another embodiment, the side shelf includes a first downwardextension and a second downward extension, the first and second downwardextensions extending downward from the inner periphery of the upwardfacing flat surface and including coupling structure configured tocouple to the one of the first side and the second side of the mainbody. In still another embodiment, the upstanding ridge integrallyextends from the upward facing flat surface.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a sideshelf for coupling to an outdoor cooking station configured to controlplacement of objects adjacent a cooking surface of the outdoor cookingstation is provided. The side shelf includes an upward facing flatsurface extending to a front periphery, a rear periphery, an outerperiphery and an inner periphery. The upward facing flat surfaceincluding an upstanding elongated ridge, the upstanding elongated ridgeextending above the upward facing flat surface and extending at leastpartially along the inner periphery. With this arrangement, theupstanding elongated ridge extends to define a set-back from the cookingsurface for controlled placement of the objects on the upward facingflat surface.

In another embodiment, the side shelf further includes a first downwardextension and a second downward extension, the first and second downwardextensions extending downward from the inner periphery of the upwardfacing flat surface and adjacently from opposite ends of the upstandingelongated ridge, the first and second downward extensions includingcoupling structure configured to couple to a main body of the outdoorcooking station. In another embodiment, upon the first and seconddownward extensions being coupled to the main body of the outdoorcooking station, the upstanding elongated ridge extends to define anelongated gap opening between the elongated ridge and the main body. Inanother embodiment, the upstanding elongated ridge extends adjacent anelongated opening defined in the side shelf, the elongated openingextending alongside the upstanding elongated ridge.

In another embodiment, the set-back defined by the upstanding elongatedridge is sized and configured to substantially prevent the objects frombeing positioned within a heat zone, the heat zone associated with thecooking station upon the heating elements being ignited. In yet anotherembodiment, the upstanding elongated ridge extends with a majority ofits length extending linearly so as to extend substantially parallelwith the outer periphery of the upward facing flat surface. In anotherembodiment, the upstanding elongated ridge integrally extends from theupward facing flat surface. In still another embodiment, the upstandingelongated ridge extends with a curve along opposite end portions of theupstanding elongated ridge.

In another embodiment, the upward facing flat surface extends to a fronttrim extension, a rear trim extension, and an outer side trim extension,the outer side trim extension extending between the front and rear trimextensions, each of the front and rear trim extensions and outer sidetrim extension extending downward and substantially perpendicularrelative to the upward facing flat surface.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof controlling placement of objects adjacent a cooking surface of acooking station is provided. The method includes the steps of: providinga side shelf coupled to one of a first side and a second side of a mainbody of an outdoor cooking station, the side shelf including an upwardfacing flat surface for placing objects thereon, the upward facing flatsurface including an upstanding elongated ridge that extends above theupward facing flat surface; and substantially controlling placement ofobjects on the upward facing flat surface with a set-back defined by theupstanding elongated ridge, the upstanding elongated ridge extendingadjacently along one side of the upward facing flat surface so as tosubstantially prevent objects from being placed within a heat zoneadjacent the cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the method step of providing includes providingan elongated opening defined between the upstanding elongated ridge ofthe side shelf and the main body of the cooking station. In anotherembodiment, the method step of providing includes providing theupstanding elongated ridge to extend linearly along a majority of itselongated length and substantially parallel with the one of the firstside and the second side of the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking station with a griddle memberpositionable over the cooking station, depicting the cooking stationhaving first and second side shelves attached to the cooking station,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective view of one side shelf coupled tothe cooking station, depicting the side shelf having a set-back relativeto a heat zone associated with the cooking station, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the side shelf and cooking station, accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an inner side perspective view of the side shelf, depicting aridge and opening arrangement of the side shelf, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an outer side perspective view of the side shelf, depictinganother view of the ridge and opening arrangement of the side shelf,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the side shelf, according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another bottom perspective view of the side shelf, accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cooking stationwith first and second side shelves coupled thereto, according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cooking station,depicting first and second side shelves coupled to the cooking stationbelow the cooking surface, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, embodiments of a cooking station 10 and aside shelf 12 for coupling thereto are provided. Such side shelf 12 mayinclude one or more structural set-back features sized and configured tosubstantially control placement of objects, such as pressurizedcanisters or cooking oil or any other object, from being placed tooclose to a cooking surface 14 or within a heat zone 16 of the cookingstation 10. The cooking station 10 may be an outdoor type cookingstation for barbequing and the like, typically fueled by propane ornatural gas (not shown), or any other suitable fuel, such as briquettesor the like. Further, the cooking station 10 may be sized and configuredto be a portable cooking station. The cooking station 10 may be sizedand configured with a grill type cooking surface for grilling food, orthe cooking station 10 may be sized and configured for receiving agriddle member 20, or the cooking station 10 may be adapted with acombination grill and griddle member. Other versions or combinationversions of an outdoor cooking station may also be employed with theside shelf 12 having one or more structural set-back features forcontrolling the placement of items or objects on the side shelf 12,discussed in further detail herein. In this manner, the side shelf 12with the one or more structural set-back features may be employed as asafety feature for the cooking station 10.

Now with reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the cooking station 10may include a main body 18 sized and configured to receive the griddlemember 20. The main body 18 may include a front side 22 and a rear side24 each extending between a first side 26 and a second side 28 of themain body 18. The main body 18 may include frame components and panelstructures secured to the frame components. The panel structures mayinclude a front panel 30, a rear panel 32, a first side panel 34 and asecond side panel 36 sized and configured to be secured to the framecomponents along the respective front side 22, rear side 24, first side26 and the second side 28 of the main body 18. The front and rear panels30, 32 may extend horizontally between the horizontally extending firstand second side panels 34, 36. Each of the panel structures of the mainbody 18 may extend vertically between an upper edge 38 and a lower edge40 or lower portion of the main body 18. Such upper edge 38 may includeapertures 54, such as four apertures, to receive corresponding griddlelegs 56 extending from an underside of the griddle member 20. Uponpositioning the griddle member 20 over the upper edge 38 of the mainbody, the griddle legs 56 suspend the griddle member 20 above the upperedge 38 to define a gap 64 therebetween (see FIG. 3).

In one embodiment, the front and rear panels 30, 32 may be longer thanthe first and second side panels 34, 36 so that the upper edge 38 of themain body 18 defines a rectangular periphery. In another embodiment, theframe components and panel structures may be sized so that the upperedge 38 of the main body 18 may extend with a generally square shapedperiphery. The main body 18 may also include legs 42, such as four legs,extending downward from the main body 18. Each of the legs 42 mayinclude caster wheels 44 or the like to facilitate portability of thecooking station 10. In another embodiment, two of the legs 42 mayinclude the caster wheels 44 at a lower end thereof. Further, the legs42 may include cross-members 46 extending between, for example,respective front legs and rear legs of the cooking station. Thecross-members 46 may provide support to the legs 42 and the main body 18as well as support to a tray or the like that may be positioned over thecross-members 46. Other structures may also be supported by thecross-members 46, such as a propane tank holder 58.

Each of the front and rear panels 30, 32 and the first and second sidepanels 34, 36 may extend over the frame components to define a spacetherebetween. Such space may include structural components, such as someof the frame components, to support multiple heating elements 48 orflame burners, such as four heating elements. Each of the heatingelements 48 may hold structure for feeding pressurized fuel, such aspropane gas, therethrough and controlled with burner control valves 50or knobs adjacently along or on the front panel 30. In addition, thefront panel 30 may include an ignitor switch 52 that may be depressed toprovide a spark to ignite the gas fueled heating elements 48. Thecooking station 10 may include typical components to facilitate heatingthe cooking surface 14 associated with the cooking station 10, such asvarious valves, tubing, manifold, gas couplings, fasteners, and anyother necessary components, as known to one of ordinary skill in theart.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, upon igniting the fuel being fedthrough the heating elements 48, heat may be generated in a controlledmanner with the burner control valves 50 to heat the cooking surface 14,such as the griddle member 20. Heat rising from the heating elements 48to heat an underside of the griddle member 20 may continue to provideheat flow 76 out from under the griddle member 20 between the upper edge38 of the main body and a peripheral edge 60 of the griddle member 20,i.e., the gap 64, and then upward along a peripheral side 62 of thegriddle member 20. Such heat flow 76 from under the griddle member 20creates the heat zone 16 defined along the peripheral side 62 of thegriddle member 20. Such heat zone 16 in some cases, as depicted, mayextend beyond a periphery of the main body 18 of the cooking stove 10 orperipheral side 62 of griddle member 20. In another embodiment, acooking station may be adapted to receive a pot or pan or the like,which may also create similar heat zones that may extend beyond thecooking surface of the cooking station.

As previously set forth, the side shelf 12 may include structure sizedand configured to substantially prevent placement of objects within theheat zone 16. For example, in one embodiment, the side shelf 12 (alsomay be referenced as a first side shelf) may include an upward facingflat surface 66 and an upstanding elongated ridge 68, the elongatedridge 68 extending upward above the upward facing flat surface 66 so asto create a boundary or barrier that may discourage individuals at thecooking station 10 from placing objects thereon. Further, in anotherembodiment, the elongated ridge 68 may extend along an elongated opening70 or elongated recess defined in the side shelf 12. Such elongatedopening 70, upon the side shelf 12 being secured to the main body 18,may define a set-back 72 between the upstanding elongated ridge 68 andone of the first and second sides 26, 28 of the main body 18. Suchset-back 72 (or, in this case, the width of the elongated opening 70)may provide a buffer from the heat zone 16 such that the set-back 72 maybe sized and configured to be larger than a width or depth 78 of theheat zone 16. In this manner, such upstanding elongated ridge 68 andelongated opening 70 arrangement may be sized and configured to definethe set-back 72 to assist users of the cooking station 10 to placeobjects on the upward facing flat surface 66 in a safe manner, such asaway from the before-described heat zone 16 extending upward adjacentthe cooking surface 10.

In one embodiment, the cooking station 10 may be sized and configured toinclude a second side shelf 74 such that the before referenced sideshelf 12 may be referenced as a first side shelf 12. Each of the firstand second side shelves 12, 74 may define the elongated ridge andopening 68, 70 arrangement, as described above. Further, the first andsecond side shelves 12, 74 may be coupled to the main body 18 so thatthe upward facing flat surface 66 may be substantially level with theupper edge 38 of the main body 18. In another embodiment, the first andsecond side shelves 12, 74 may be coupled to the main body 18 so thatthe upward facing flat surface 66 may be positioned below the upper edge38 of the main body 18. The first and second side shelves 12, 74 may bedesigned to be substantially identical, such that they can beinterchangeably attached to the first and second sides 26, 28 of themain body 18.

In another embodiment, the first and second side shelves 12, 74 mayinclude different features or the same features, but one side shelf mayinclude additional features or structural characteristics. For example,each of the first and second side shelves 12, 74 may include theelongated ridge and opening 68, 70 arrangement and one of the first andsecond side shelves 12, 74 may also include structure for receiving acutting board, a paper towel holder, and/or a garbage bag holder,similar to that described and depicted in commonly assigned U.S.application Ser. No. 15/885,313, filed Jan. 31, 2018, entitled PortableOutdoor Cooking Device, System, and Accessory Thereof, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Now with reference to FIGS. 4-7, the side shelf 12 will now be describedin detail. In one embodiment, the side shelf 12 may include a main shelfportion 65. The main shelf portion 65 may include the upward facing flatsurface 66 and an underside surface 67, the underside surface 67 facingdirectly opposite the upward facing flat surface 66. Such upward facingflat surface 66 may be the primary shelf surface or main shelf surfaceupon which users may position objects while cooking at the cookingstation 10. Upon the side shelf 12 being secured to the main body 18 ofthe cooking station 10, the upward facing flat surface 66 may extend andbe positioned substantially horizontally, extending substantiallyorthogonal relative to an outer surface of one of the first side panel34 or the second side panel 36 of the main body 18 (see FIG. 1). Theupward facing flat surface 66 may extend with a substantiallyrectangular or square periphery, but for the elongated opening 70 orelongated recess defined along one side of the upward facing flatsurface 66. For example, the upward facing flat surface 66 may extend toa front periphery 80, a rear periphery 82, an outer periphery 84 and aninner periphery 86. The outer periphery 84 may extend between the frontand rear periphery 80, 82. The inner periphery 86 may extend adjacent to(with a portion against) one of the first side 26 and second side 28 ofthe main body 18 of the cooking station 14, upon the side shelf 12 beingsecured thereto. Further, the inner periphery 86 may define theelongated opening 70 or recess, as previously set forth, such that theinner periphery 86 may not be linear along its entire length. In anotherembodiment, the inner periphery 86 of the upward facing flat surface 66may be linear along its entire length or a majority of its length in aversion, for example, where the elongated opening 70 is defined entirelywithin the upward facing flat surface 66.

Further, the upward facing flat surface 66 may include the beforedescribed upstanding elongated ridge 68, which in one version, mayextend along a portion of the inner periphery 86. Such elongated ridge68 may extend linearly along a majority of its length along a portion ofthe boundary defining the elongated opening 70 or elongated recess. Inone embodiment, the elongated ridge 68 may include arcuate portions 88such that end portions of the upstanding elongated ridge 68 curve tothen extend to ends of the elongated ridge 68. In another embodiment,the elongated ridge 68 may follow along a contour of a periphery of theelongated opening 70. In another embodiment, the elongated ridge 68 maybe a single elongated ridge. In another embodiment, the side shelf 12may include multiple elongated ridges extending above the upward facingflat surface 66. In another embodiment, the elongated ridge 68 mayextend with a curve along a majority of its length. In anotherembodiment, the elongated ridge 68 may extend linearly between the frontand rear periphery 80, 82 of the upward facing flat surface 66. Inanother embodiment, the elongated ridge 68 may include a continuousheight and depth along its longitudinal length. In another embodiment,the elongated ridge 68 may extend with a continuous loop, depending onthe elongated opening 70 or elongated recess defined therein. In anotherembodiment, a linear portion of the elongated ridge 68 may extendlongitudinally so as to extend substantially parallel with one of thefirst and second side panels 34, 36 of the main body 18. In anotherembodiment, a linear portion of the elongated ridge 68 may extendlongitudinally so as to extend substantially parallel with the outerperiphery 84 of the upward facing flat surface 66. In anotherembodiment, the upstanding elongated ridge 68 may be in and maintain afixed position relative to the upward facing flat surface 66. In anotherembodiment, the upstanding elongated ridge 68 may be fixed so as to besecured in a non-pivoting or non-slidable manner relative to the upwardfacing flat surface 66. In another embodiment, the elongated ridge 68may be formed integrally with the side shelf 12. In still anotherembodiment, the elongated ridge 68 may be formed as an insert to besecured, via fasteners or an interference type fit, along the elongatedopening 70 or elongated ridge.

The elongated ridge 68 may include a height 90, a length 94, and a depth92. The height 90 of the elongated ridge 68 may be a distance thatextends beyond and above the upward facing flat surface 66. The height90 of the elongated ridge 68 may define the highest most structure ofthe side shelf 12, upon the side shelf 12 being secured to the main body18 of the cooking station 10. In one embodiment, the height 90 of theupstanding elongated ridge 68 may extend with a constant and continuousheight along the entire length of the elongated ridge 68. In anotherembodiment, the height 90 may vary along portions of the length 94 ofthe elongated ridge, for example, the height 90 may taper along endportions so as to taper in height along the arcuate portions 88 towardthe ends of elongated ridge 68. The height 90 of the upstandingelongated ridge 68 may be within the range of 3 millimeters and 15millimeters and preferably within the range of about 5 millimeters and10 millimeters. Importantly, the height 90 of the upstanding elongatedridge 68 should be sufficient height to discourage users from placingobjects thereon.

The length 94 of the elongated ridge 68 may be substantially longer thanthe height 90 and the depth 92 of the elongated ridge 68. In oneembodiment, a length of the arcuate portions 88 and linear portions ofthe elongated ridge 68 may correspond with and extend a length of theperiphery defining the elongated opening 70 or elongated recess. Inanother embodiment, the length 94 of the elongated ridge 68 may extendabout a length of the elongated portion of the elongated opening 70 orelongated recess. In still another embodiment, the length 94 of theelongated ridge 68 may extend proximate to the length between the frontperiphery 80 and the rear periphery 82 of the upward facing flat surface66. In another embodiment, the elongated ridge 68 may include endportions that extend transverse or orthogonal relative to a majority ofthe length of the elongated ridge 68. The depth 92 of the elongatedridge 68 may be a depth dimension similar to the thickness of sheetmaterial. In another embodiment, the depth 92 of the elongated ridge 68may be formed by folding over sheet material to leave a clean edge and,as such, the depth may be about twice the thickness of the sheetmaterial employed. The depth 78 of the elongated ridge 68 may be smallerthan the height 90 of the elongated ridge 68.

Each of the front periphery 80, the rear periphery 82, and outer sideperiphery 84 of the side shelf 12 may extend integrally downward toexhibit trim portions, such as a corresponding front trim portion 96, arear trim portion 98 and an outer trim portion 102. Each of the trimportions may extend downward so that bottom ends 104 of the trimportions may fold inward or fold over so as to substantially eliminateexposed sharp edges.

As previously set forth, the inner periphery 86 may extend to theupstanding elongated ridge 68 and along the elongated opening 70 definedin the side shelf 12. Further, the inner periphery 86 of the side shelf12 may extend to a first downward extension 106 and a second downwardextension 108, each extending downward from the upward facing flatsurface 66 along the inner periphery 86. The first downward extension106 may extend from the inner periphery 86 and adjacent the frontperiphery 80 of the upward facing flat surface 66. The second downwardextension 108 may extend from the inner periphery 86 and adjacent therear periphery 82 of the upward facing flat surface 66. Each of thefirst and second downward extensions 106, 108 may include couplingstructure 110, such as openings or notches sized and configured toreceive fasteners or the like. The first and second downward extensions106, 108 each include an abutment surface 112, the abutment surface 112sized and configured to abut to one of the first and second sides 26, 28of the main body 18 of the cooking station 10 (see FIG. 1). The abutmentsurface 112 and the first and second downward extensions 106, 108 mayextend substantially perpendicular relative to the upward facing flatsurface 66. With this arrangement, the abutment surface 112 of the firstand second downward extensions 106, 108 may be positioned against one ofthe first and second sides 26, 28 of the main body 18 so that fastenersor the like may be employed to secure the side shelf 12 to the main body18 with the coupling structure 110 defined in the first and seconddownward extensions 106, 108.

Now with reference to FIG. 8, another embodiment of a cooking station120 that may employed with first and second side shelves 122, 124 isprovided. In this embodiment, the first and second side shelves 122, 124may each include an elongated ridge 126 extending above a main flatsurface 128 and an elongated opening 130 defined in each of the sideshelves, the elongated ridge 126 extending along the opening 130, asdescribed in detail in previous embodiments. Further, the side shelf,such as the first side shelf 122, may be employed adjacent to a hood 132associated with the cooking station 120. The cooking surface under thehood 132 may be a grill type cooking surface or a griddle type cookingsurface. Further, the second side shelf 124 may be employed adjacent toheating elements 134 with, for example, a range for positioning pots orpans thereover. As such, the side shelf, such as the second side shelf124, as described in previous embodiments, with the elongated ridge 126and opening 130 arrangement may be employed with most any type ofcooking station 120 to provide a set-back 72 (FIG. 2) as a safetyfeature to assist users of the cooking station 120 from placing objectswithin any potential heat zones 16 (FIG. 2) associated with the cookingstation 120.

With respect to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a cooking station 140 thatmay be employed with a first and second side shelf 142, 144 is provided.In this embodiment, the first and second side shelves 142, 144 may bepositionably secured to respective first and second sides 146, 148 of amain body 150 of the cooking station 140. Further, in this embodiment,the first and second side shelves 142, 144 may be positionably securedto the cooking station a distance 152 below an upper edge 154 of themain body 150. Similar to previous embodiments, the first and secondside shelves 142, 144 may each include an elongated ridge 156 that mayextend along an elongated opening 158 such that the elongated ridge 156extends above an upward facing flat surface 160 or main surface of thefirst and second side shelves 142, 144. In this manner, the elongatedridge 156 may provide a set-back 72 (FIG. 2) to discourage users fromplacing objects on the first and second shelves 142, 144 within a heatzone 16 (FIG. 2) associated with heating the cooking station 140. Inanother embodiment, the first and second side shelves 142, 144 may besecured to the cooking station 140 so that the upward facing flatsurface 160 is positioned above the upper edge 154 of the main body 150such that the upward facing flat surface 160 may be disposed at a levelof the cooking surface or above the cooking surface of, for example, agriddle member or grill disposed on the main body 150 of the cookingstation 140.

The various structural components of the various embodiments of thecooking station and the side shelf and any other structural componentsthereof may be formed of various metallic materials, such as steel,stainless steel, copper, aluminum or any other suitable material withhigh temperature ratings, such as various suitable polymeric materials,and may be formed from known structural components, such as sheet metalat various gauges/thicknesses or other known metallic structures, suchas tubing or the like, and may be formed and manufactured throughvarious known processes and techniques known in the art, such ascasting, welding, rolling, bending, pressing, fastening, etc., as knownby one of ordinary skill in the art.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and have been described in detail herein.Further, the structural features of any one embodiment disclosed hereinmay be combined or replaced by any one of the structural features ofanother embodiment set forth herein. However, it should be understoodthat the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular formsdisclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An outdoor cooking station for controllingplacement of objects adjacent a cooking surface of the outdoor cookingstation, the outdoor cooking station comprising: a main body extendingto define a front side, a rear side, a first side and a second side eachextending between a lower portion and an upper edge, the upper edgeextending with a rectangular periphery along each of the front side, therear side, the first side and the second side of the main body, the mainbody including multiple heating elements supported by the main body anddisposed below the upper edge of the main body such that the multipleheating elements are configured to provide heat to the cooking surface;and a side shelf configured to be coupled to one of the first side andthe second side of the main body, the side shelf including an upwardfacing flat surface extending to an inner periphery, the upward facingflat surface extending to an upstanding elongated ridge, the upstandingelongated ridge extending above the upward facing flat surface andextending at least partially adjacent the inner periphery, theupstanding elongated ridge extending to define a set-back from thecooking surface for placement of the objects on the upward facing flatsurface.
 2. The outdoor cooking station of claim 1, wherein the sideshelf comprises an elongated opening defined in the side shelf, theupstanding elongated ridge extending at least partially along theelongated opening.
 3. The outdoor cooking station of claim 1, whereinthe side shelf includes an elongated opening defined therein, theelongated opening extending through the side shelf such that, upon theside shelf being secured to one of the first side and the second side ofthe main body, the elongated opening defines a gap opening between themain body and the upstanding ridge.
 4. The outdoor cooking station ofclaim 1, wherein the set-back defined by the upstanding elongated ridgeis sized and configured to substantially prevent the objects from beingpositioned within a heat zone, the heat zone associated with the cookingstation upon the heating elements being ignited.
 5. The outdoor cookingstation of claim 1, wherein the upstanding elongated ridge extends witha majority of its elongated length extending linearly so as to extendsubstantially parallel with the one of the first side and the secondside of the main body.
 6. The outdoor cooking station of claim 1,wherein the side shelf includes a first downward extension and a seconddownward extension, the first and second downward extensions extendingdownward from the inner periphery of the upward facing flat surface andincluding coupling structure configured to couple to the one of thefirst side and the second side of the main body.
 7. The outdoor cookingstation of claim 1, wherein the upstanding ridge integrally extends fromthe upward facing flat surface.
 8. A side shelf for coupling to anoutdoor cooking station configured to control placement of objectsadjacent a cooking surface of the outdoor cooking station, the sideshelf comprising: an upward facing flat surface extending to a frontperiphery, a rear periphery, an outer periphery and an inner periphery,the upward facing flat surface including an upstanding elongated ridge,the upstanding elongated ridge extending above the upward facing flatsurface and extending at least partially along the inner periphery, theupstanding elongated ridge extending to define a set-back from thecooking surface for controlled placement of the objects on the upwardfacing flat surface.
 9. The side shelf of claim 8, further comprising afirst downward extension and a second downward extension, the first andsecond downward extensions extending downward from the inner peripheryof the upward facing flat surface and adjacently from opposite ends ofthe upstanding elongated ridge, the first and second downward extensionsincluding coupling structure configured to couple to a main body of theoutdoor cooking station.
 10. The side shelf of claim 8, wherein theupstanding elongated ridge extends adjacent an elongated opening definedin the side shelf, the elongated opening defined to extend alongside theupstanding elongated ridge.
 11. The side shelf of claim 9, wherein, uponthe first and second downward extensions being coupled to the main bodyof the outdoor cooking station, the upstanding elongated ridge extendsto define an elongated gap between the elongated ridge and the mainbody.
 12. The side shelf of claim 8, wherein the set-back defined by theupstanding elongated ridge is sized and configured to substantiallyprevent the objects from being positioned within a heat zone, the heatzone associated with the cooking station upon the heating elements beingignited.
 13. The side shelf of claim 8, wherein the upstanding elongatedridge extends with a majority of its length extending linearly so as toextend substantially parallel with the outer periphery of the upwardfacing flat surface.
 14. The side shelf of claim 8, wherein theupstanding elongated ridge integrally extends from the upward facingflat surface.
 15. The side shelf of claim 8, wherein the upstandingelongated ridge extends with a curve along opposite end portions of theupstanding elongated ridge.
 16. The side shelf of claim 8, wherein theupward facing flat surface extends to a front trim extension, a reartrim extension, and an outer side trim extension, the outer side trimextension extending between the front and rear trim extensions, each ofthe front and rear trim extensions and outer side trim extensionextending downward and substantially perpendicular relative to theupward facing flat surface.
 17. A method of controlling placement ofobjects adjacent a cooking surface of a cooking station, the methodcomprising: providing a side shelf coupled to one of a first side and asecond side of a main body of an outdoor cooking station, the side shelfincluding an upward facing flat surface for placing objects thereon, theupward facing flat surface including an upstanding elongated ridge thatextends above the upward facing flat surface; and substantiallycontrolling placement of objects on the upward facing flat surface witha set-back defined by the upstanding elongated ridge, the upstandingelongated ridge extending adjacently along one side of the upward facingflat surface so as to substantially prevent objects from being placedwithin a heat zone adjacent the cooking surface.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein the providing comprises providing anelongated opening defined between the upstanding elongated ridge of theside shelf and the main body of the cooking station.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein the providing comprises providing theupstanding elongated ridge to extend linearly along a majority of itselongated length and substantially parallel with the one of the firstside and the second side of the main body.
 20. The method according toclaim 17, wherein the providing comprises providing and elongatedopening within the side shelf such that the upstanding elongated ridgeextends at least partially along a periphery of the elongated opening.